News | August 27, 2014

ABB Commissions World's Longest Power Transmission Link In Brazil

HVDC link will transmit 3,150 MW of electricity across 1,500 miles with minimum losses

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has successfully commissioned the HVDC converter stations to the Rio Madeira High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link in Brazil and delivered the project to Abengoa. The approximately 1,500 mile (2,400 kilometers), 3,150 megawatt (MW) power connection is the longest transmission link in the world, and will bring electricity from two hydropower plants in the northwest of the country to São Paulo, Brazil's main economic center.

“This HVDC link will help integrate remotely located renewable energy and transmit clean electricity, reliably and efficiently across this massive distance with minimum losses, to millions of consumers” said Claudio Facchin, head of ABB’s Power Systems business. “ABB is proud to continue partnering Brazil in its ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's power network.”

Apart from the two 3,150 megawatt HVDC converter stations for the world record length link, ABB has also delivered an 800 megawatt HVDC back-to-back station that transmits power to the surrounding alternating current (AC) network in the northwest of Brazil.

These are the fourth and fifth transmission links using HVDC technology delivered by ABB in Brazil, succeeding the two Itaipu links, delivered in 1984 and 1987, and the two interconnections between Brazil and Argentina, delivered in 1999 and 2002.

HVDC has lower losses across longer distances and a smaller footprint than traditional AC transmission systems. It is also able to stabilize intermittent power supplies that might otherwise disrupt the grid. For these reasons, it is the technology of choice for long-distance transmission projects which can deliver electricity from remote generation sources to the centers where it is needed.

ABB pioneered HVDC technology 60 years ago and has been awarded around 90 HVDC projects representing a total installed capacity of more than 95,000 megawatts (MW) – accounting for about half the global installed base. ABB remains at the forefront of HVDC innovation and is uniquely positioned in the industry with in-house manufacturing capability for power semiconductors, converters and high voltage cables, the key components of HVDC systems.

About ABB
ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people. For more information, visit www.abb.com.